WEEK 2 - SPEEDY SPUD FEET

Elkmont's Couch Potato to 5K group (Elkmont Trail Blazers) completed week 2 training with a 2 mile trail run this past Saturday on the trail in downtown Elkmont! EVERYBODY is doing fantastic - despite some minor injuries common to new runners!

We started week 3 training on Monday night and increased the actual run time to double what we had been doing! Our next workouts are tonight (Thursday) and Saturday morning.

Will we be running in the snow? Although I doubt we will experience it this evening or even on Saturday, there is nothing more peaceful than running on fresh fallen snow! Especially with the winds are still and traffic is at a minimum.

The Elkmont Trail Blazers are all registered for the goal run on April 6 - the Chick-fil-A 5K! I can't wait to see them all run!

FACEBOOK IS SPYING ON YOU - SECOND WAY

A billion people worldwide use Facebook to share details of their lives with their friends. Trouble is, they also might be unintentionally divulging matters they consider private—to friends…coworkers, clients and employers…marketing companies…and even to competitors, scammers and identity thieves.

The second way Facebook could be compromising your private information is the Facebook apps and this is how to protect yourself…

2. Facebook apps steal personal details about you—even details that you specifically told Facebook you wished to keep private. Third-party apps are software applications available through Facebook but created by other companies. These include games and quizzes popular on Facebook such as FarmVille and Words with Friends, plus applications such as Skype, TripAdvisor and Yelp. 

Most Facebook apps are free—the companies that offer them make their money by harvesting personal details about users from their Facebook pages, then selling that information to advertisers.

Many apps collect only fairly common information, such as age, hometown and gender, that probably is not secret. But others dig deep into Facebook data, even accessing information that you may have designated private, such as religious affiliation, political leanings and sexual orientation.

What to do: Read user agreements and privacy policies carefully to understand what information you are agreeing to share before signing up for any app. The free Internet tool Privacyscore is one way to evaluate the privacy policies of the apps you currently use (www.Facebook.com/privacyscore). 

You also can tighten privacy settings by clicking the lock icon in the upper-right-hand corner. Select “See More Settings,” then choose “Apps” from the left menu. Under “Apps You Use,” click “Edit” to see your privacy options.

MY FIRST THREE WEEKS IN THE 2013 SESSION - DAN WILLIAMS

Budget hearings were incorporated into the first two weeks of the 2013 session. There is not enough money to cover all of the requests.

Tax revenues to the state and interest paid on state deposits determine the availability of funds in the Education and General Fund budgets. Currently, the fiscal 2013 Education budget is in better condition than last year, and is not expected to be prorated.

The fiscal 2014 Education budget revenue projections show an additional $200 million would be available over and above current spending in the fiscal 2013 Education budget. The state hopes to use these additional funds to lower classroom divisors, fund school library enhancement, and give teachers a cost of living adjustment of 2 percent to 3 percent.

The 2013 General Fund budget is on target to collect required revenues to fund current budget obligations and at the moment are not expected to be prorated for the first time in many years. The 2014 General Fund budget may be a bit better than 2013, but everyone should expect it to be extremely tight. We hope the 2014 Education budget is at least slowly recovering.

We passed HB94 on the second legislative day to require the Legislature to repay all money transferred from the Alabama Trust Fund to the state General Fund pursuant to Amendment 856 (Sept. 18) to the Alabama Constitution. The General Fund will begin repayment in fiscal 2014 to the Alabama Trust Fund with annual payments required and final payback due by fiscal 2026.

The Alabama House, on day two, also passed the Alabama Informed Voter Act HB95 to approve ballot language that will explain in layman terms the effect of a vote for or against a ballot proposal.  

The House passed three significant pieces of legislation in week two:

• HB101, the Red Tape Reduction Act, requires an Alabama Agency Administrator to provide notification to the public of proposed rule and regulation changes, and requires a business economic impact statement prior to adoption of a rule that is determined to have an adverse impact on a business in Alabama.

• HB102, the 21st Century Workforce Act, authorizes a $50 million dollar bond issue to provide funds to local boards of education to purchase career and technical education equipment. Funds will be available for existing programs and certified programs that are developed in the future. Career tech education for students in the Limestone County system and the Athens City system is one avenue to quality jobs in the areas of pre-engineering, building science, nursing, industrial maintenance, and welding.

• HB84, the Local Control School Flexibility Act of 2013 relating to public K-12 education, is an effort to inspire creativity and innovation in Alabama schools. The Bill allows local school boards and their superintendents to seek regulation flexibility from the state superintendent.

The Flex Bill as passed by the House requires a local public hearing prior to submitting a flexibility contract proposal to the state Board of Education. A school system may not seek flexibility or a waiver from the Alabama ethics law, state retirement benefits, or health insurance benefits for system employees.

A school system may not pay a current or future employee less than that employee would earn under the state Minimum Salary Schedule nor may a system force a current or future employee to involuntarily relinquish their tenure rights or rights obtained by reaching a non-probationary employment status. The School Flexibility Act cannot be used to authorize the formation of charter schools in Alabama and requires the state Superintendent to make a decision on proposed flexibility contracts and innovation plans within 60 days of submission.

The education organizations that support the Flex Bill include: Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, Alabama Association for School Boards, School Superintendents of Alabama, A+ Education Partnership, Association of School Business Officials, the Alabama School Superintendent, and the Business Council of Alabama. There has been much misinformation and rhetoric in regard to the Flex Bill in an effort to kill this legislation.

The third week of the session was very productive in passing the bills that are on the Republican “We Dare Defend Our Rights” agenda:

• HB57, the Women’s Health and Care Act, was carried by Rep. Mary Sue McClurken. This bill requires the same standards in treatment and care in Alabama abortion clinics that are required in other medical clinics in Alabama.

• HB108, the Religious Liberty Act was carried by Rep. Lynn Greer allows small businesses to refuse to pay for contraceptives and abortion inducing drugs, based upon the business owner’s religious beliefs.

• HB110, the Medicaid Fraud Act was carried by Rep. Jim McClendon. This bill will increase the efficiency of the state Medicaid program by improving the ability of the Attorney General’s office and the Medicaid Agency to pinpoint, investigate, and prosecute instances of fraud and abuse.

• HB109, the Health Care Compact bill was carried by Rep. Mike Ball and will allow Alabama to become the fifth state to join the Interstate Compact. This will allow our Medicaid Agency to do a better job of running our state Medicaid program with less federal involvement.

We have now passed almost the entire Republican agenda that we promised to deliver during this session. The exception is the Alabama Firearms Protection Act that we will take up when we begin next week.

— Republican Rep. Dan Williams represents Alabama’s 5th House district, which includes Athens and Limestone County.

FACEBOOK IS SPYING ON YOU - FIRST WAY

A billion people worldwide use Facebook to share details of their lives with their friends. Trouble is, they also might be unintentionally divulging matters they consider private—to friends…coworkers, clients and employers…marketing companies…and even to competitors, scammers and identity thieves.

The first way Facebook could be compromising your private information is the new Timeline and this is how to protect yourself…

1. The new Timeline format exposes your old mistakes. Timeline, introduced in late 2011, makes it easy for people to search back through your old Facebook posts, something that was very difficult to do in the past. That could expose private matters and embarrassing photos that you’ve long since forgotten posting.

What to do: To hide Timeline posts that you do not wish to be public, hold the cursor over the post, click the pencil icon that appears in the upper-right corner, then click “Hide from Timeline” or “Delete.”

MICHAEL SMITH/ CLARA FOS ENGAGEMENT

Shelley and Michael Underhill of Athens announce the engagement of their daughter, Clara Nichole Fos, to Christopher Matthew Smith, son of Chris and Wendy Smith of Elkmont.  The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Linda H. Prine of Athens.  She is a 2010 graduate of Athens High School and studied phlebotomy at Calhoun Community College.  She is employed by MedWest Community Healthcare as medical tech/phlebotomist.

The prospective groom is the grandson of Viola Turner and Alice Smith, both of Elkmont, and the late Sterling Turner and Michael Smith.  He is a 2009 graduate of Elkmont High School and was trained in machine tool technology. He is employed by Turner Medical as a machinist. The wedding is planned for April 6 at Sandlin Road Church of Christ in Elkmont.

JUDY ANN CLARK PACK - OBITUARY

Mrs. Judy Ann Clark Pack, 67 of Athens, Alabama passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at her residence.

Funeral service will be Thursday, February 28, 2013, 1PM at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Donald Terry.

Burial in the Athens City Cemetery

Visitation will be 6-9PM on Wednesday at Spry Funeral Home.

Born February 3, 1946 in Limestone County, AL
Baptist Faith
Retired from General Motors

Preceded in Death by Husband: Douglas Pack
Brothers: Bobby Clark & Charles Clark
Sisters: Mable Kidd, Mary Dugger, Lorene Conley

Survivors:

Daughter:
Terri Garlen and husband John - Elkmont, AL

Son:
Stephen Pack and wife Tonya - Athens, AL

Brother:
Kenneth Clark - Athens, AL

Sister:
Marie Pitts - Athens, AL

Grandchildren:
Dalton Pack
Haley Pack
Jared Taylor
Eddie Garlen

Pallbearers:
Tim Clark, Keith Clark, Randall Townsend, Lance Pitts, David Kidd, Johnny Cooper

SENATOR SHELBY - CHUCK HAGEL VOTE

Alabama GOP Asks Shelby to Retract Support from Hagel                              By Quin Hillyer on 2.25.13 @ 7:12PM

The Steering Committee of the Alabama Republican Party has taken the rare step of officially requesting that one of the state’s two GOP U.S. Senators change a publicly announced position in a high-profile Washington battle. Specifically, the state party leaders have passed a resolution “respectfully call[ing] upon” Sen. Richard Shelby to “reconsider and reverse his decision to support Senator [Chuck] Hagel to be Secretary of Defense.” The resolution, passed early this afternoon, blasts Hagel for statements “favorable toward” countries “that we believe to be enemies of the United States of America,” and also criticizes him for “not being a supporter of Israel, the only dependable ally the United States of America has in that part of the world.” It notes, too, that “many Alabama citizens have expressed outrage at Senator Shelby’s decision.”

This is big stuff. Sen. Shelby is a powerful politician, and the state party long has been supportive of him. But his support of Hagel seems to really have created a backlash.

“It has been an outpouring from people across the state,” State Republican Chairman Bill Armistead told me. “There have been phone calls from a lot of people, plus we’ve all been approached by people we know at churches and in our communities. I haven’t seen anything this strong in opposition to something done by one of our representatives in Congress in a long time.”

This resolution by the state Republican Party comes on top of a very energetic response, along similar lines, by state Tea Party groups, who sent out blast emails urging people to call or write Shelby’s office to complain. With polls showing growing public opposition across the political spectrum to Hagel’s nomination, I think Republican senators are missing the boat if they don’t understand that this is one fight they can win by standing firm — not just win legislatively, but win politically too. And I bet if they put some pressure on some Democrats in the Senate, those Democrats will be seeing the same reaction among their own constituents and might start feeling some real heat if they continue to support the nomination themselves. And, of course, opposition to Hagel has lots to recommend it on a substantive, principled level as well.

SENATOR SESSIONS ON DETAINING U.S. CITIZENS SUSPECTED OF BEING TERRORISTS

WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKPACK?

Also found a good powerpoint on 72 hour emergency bags, Click HERE for presentation

By Craig on February 18, 2013

Being prepared doesn’t always have to apply to natural or man-made disasters.  Being prepared should be a way of life no matter what you do.  If you are a hiker, hunter, fisherman, camper, etc.  You should always have a bag of goodies in your backpack or other pack, just in case things don’t go as planned.

Each activity is different, but I will share what I carry in my backpack and who knows, it could get you out of a sticky situation in the Great Outdoors someday.   My bag of goodies was developed from a list called the Ten Essentials,  originally developed by a group of outdoors men in the Northwestern United States in the 1930s.  It has since been adapted to almost every outdoor activity as the list applies to all.  You should always carry:


Navigation – A map of the local area (in a waterproof package) can be very helpful whether you are familiar with the area or not.  I always carry a good compass to help get my bearings, no pun intended.  Compasses, unlike GPS units require no batteries and work well in all conditions, wet, dry or in between. 

Sun protection – A good pair of sunglasses is always good to have even if you leave the house on a cloudy day.  Who knows if conditions might change?  Sun screen is another must.  Even in dead of winter sunscreen is good to have on hand as you can receive a sunburn anytime of year.

Insulation –  It’s always good to have a warm fleece or windbreaker/rainjacket (or both) in your pack just in case the weather makes a turn for the worse.

Illumination – If you are like me you can underestimate how long a hike or outdoor trip might take.  You might plan on being home way before dark, but Fido runs off and you have to find him or you just spend a little too much time admiring the scenery and it  gets dark.  For this category, I pack a headlamp for hands free illumination, with a backup regular flashlight, and maybe an emergency candle or two.  You never know when those might come in handy.

First-aid supplies – I am certainly not talking about an expedition level kit, but it is not a bad idea to have a basic kit in your pack in case you or someone else has an accident.  It might not be a bad idea to get some basic first aid/CPR training to go along with that kit as well.

Fire – Just like illumination, its a great idea to carry multiple methods of fire starting.  Waterproof matches in a waterproof container, a lighter, and some of those candles mentioned above are good ideas to have with you.  You can also carry some tinder with you like dryer lint in a waterproof container.

Repair kit and tools – A great compact tool kit is a multi-tool, like a leatherman.  A Leatherman is not the only game in town of course, as many manufactures are out there in the multi tool arena.  I always carry a pocket knife with me for cutting jobs, some safety pins, a short length of paracord, and a bit of duct tape rolled up on broken pencil.  All of those items should help me complete any minor repairs on the trail.

Nutrition – Even if I am going out for the day for some fishing, a hike or a bike ride, I usually take some extra food with me.  Good lightweight compact choices, such as trail mix, granola bars, or energy bars like Cliff Bars, are good to have in your pack.  Even better, you can carry full meals like MREs with you that have everything you need for an entire day.

Hydration – Have space for two or more water bottles.  It’s a good idea to have alternative means to acquire water as well such as filtration systems or purification tablets in case your supply runs out.

Emergency shelter – More often than I like to admit, a day trip I had planned turns into an overnight trip.  It’s not a bad idea to carry something to make shelter such as a tarp, or emergency blanket,    You never know when something might extend your trip. By keeping a cache of these supplies I went over, you should be prepared for almost anything that might happen while enjoying your outdoor adventure.  

View the original article - lots more detail

BETTY JOYCE RANDOLPH - OBITUARY

Mrs. Betty Joyce Randolph, 71 of Elkmont, Alabama passed away Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Athens Limestone Hospital.

Graveside service will be Monday, February 25, 2013, 2PM at Sandlin Cemetery.

Visitation will be 11:30-1:30 on Monday at Spry Funeral Home.

Born August 14, 1941 in Limestone County, AL
Member of Church of Christ

Preceded in death by Sons:
Timothy Andrew Randolph
Nathan Brian Randolph

Survivors:
Daughters:
Michelle Barnett (Paul) - Elkmont, AL 
Tonya Kilby (Sean) - Athens, AL

Step Son: Quinton Crews - Lewisburg, TN


Grandchildren:
Jordan Barnett, Scott Kilby, Lori Kilby, Cayla Barnett, Seth Kilby, Dylan Kilby

ELKMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT HELPING OUT

Flames were creeping along in the tall grass and the Piney Chapel Fire Department was sent to the scene.  They paged the ever ready Elkmont volunteers for back up. The fire was about 400 yards south of New Garden Road on Hays Mill Road. It appeared someone had started an old trash pile behind three trailers.  The fire got out as trash and brush fires often do and started on the field beside it, burning three acres.   The fire departments involved were Piney Chapel, Elkmont and Oak Grove.  Forty fire fighters were there to put out the fire.   A shout out to our Elkmont Volunteers who are always there when called, even on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

WHAT HAPPENED IN ELKMONT - FEB 17 - 23

Click here for school announcements:











February

17 Count Your Blessings

18

Elkmont High School Varsity Baseball - Opening Day
*Athens Bible School Preseason Tournament - Elkmont Red Devils will be hosting East Lawrence High School.  Win 9 - 4

JV Baseball vs East Lawrence.  Win 17 - 7

Elkmont Middle School Baseball - Opening Day
*Westminister Preseason Tournament-
Elkmont @ Westminster; Win 10 - 2

Elkmont JV Softball - Opening Day @ Madison Academy; Win 9 -1

Speedy Spud Feet reminding all couch potatoes that training for 5K race is today.  Time: 5:30 pm  Location:  Elkmont Rural Village Office.  Don't be late or the potatoes will be rolling down the trail.

MUSIC TO ENJOY

Elkmont Pickin' & Grinnin' Mondays     

6:30 pm - Downtown Elkmont Depot   

Live Music and Dancing

Bring your own chair

Players and Dancers Welcome   

For info:  931-427-6296 

Elkmont Band Booster Meeting @ 7 pm; high school     

19
Elkmont Classmates of 1979 are meeting Tuesday, February 19 @ 6:00 at El Omeca in Ardmore

Elkmont Middle School vs Randoph @ Westminster; First Pitch @ 6:30pm  L  11 - 1 



20

21
Couch Potatoes unite - 5K training starts at 5:30 pm; Elkmont Rural Village

Elkmont High School Varsity Baseball

*Athens Bible School Preseason Tournament - Elkmont Red Devils will be hosting Falkville High School.  First Pitch @ 4:30 pm - MOVED TO TOMORROW

JV vs Falkville; following varsity game - MOVED TO TOMORROW

Elkmont Middle School vs New Hope @ Westminister; First Pitch @ 4:15 pm - Rescheduled for Tuesday 

Elkmont Softball Middle School vs Liberty Middle/West Limestone @ Elkmont; first game - 4 pm


22  
CANCELLED - Elkmont Middle School vs Central  @ Westminister; First Pitch @ 4:15 pm
Has been rescheduled for next Tuesday

Elkmont Middle School Softball @ East Limestone Tournament

CANCELLED - Elkmont High School Varsity Baseball

*Athens Bible School Preseason Tournament - Elkmont Red Devils will be hosting Falkville High School.  First Pitch @ 4:30 pm

CANCELLED - JV vs Falkville; following varsity game 

23

Couch Potatoes Training; Downtown Rails to Trails

Elkmont High School Varsity Baseball

*Athens Bible School Preseason Tournament - Elkmont Red Devils will be hosting West Morgan High School.  First Pitch @ 11 am

JV vs West Morgan; following varsity game


Red Caboose 5th Anniversary Show - doors open @ 6 pm 

Elkmont Middle School Softball @ East Limestone Tournament

DONALD HOBBS - OBITUARY

Sign Guestbook View Guestbook Photo Album

Name: Donald Hobbs Dates: Birth date: August 9, 1940 Death date: February 22, 2013 Obituary: Donald Hobbs, 72 of Elkmont, Alabama passed away on Friday, February 22, 2013, at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. Born Friday, August 9, 1940 in Ardmore, Alabama, he was the son of the late Delbert Hobbs and the late Velma Hastings Hobbs. He lived all his life in the Ardmore area and was a member of Sweet Springs Baptist church. He loved spending time with his grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Bill, Penny, and Ed Hobbs. Surviving are daughter, Ranee (Robert) Gothard of Smyrna, TN, Tonya Hobbs, Elkmont, AL; son, Dwight Hobbs; brother, Randy Hobbs, Ardmore, AL. sisters; Joyce Shelton, Ardmore, AL, Patsy Owens, Athens, AL; three grandchildren, Brandon Taylor, Chelsea Hobbs, and Lexie Gothard. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama with Bro. Joel Logan and Bro. Steve Hargrove officiating. Burial will be in Hastings Cemetery, Ardmore, AL. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama

FIVE YEARS WITH THE RED CABOOSE

It's the Red Caboose 5th Anniversary show.

Yes, we have been open for FIVE  years; how time flies.

This Saturday, February 23rd, our lineup will be Phillip and Amber White.  Phillip and Amber performed at our first show in 2008.  

Phillip's songs include,"I'm Moving On", "I'm a Survivor", "Nobody But Me", and the list goes on. 



 Amber will amaze you with her fantastic voice and songwriting skills.  Listen to songs like "Sunday Drive", I'll Take All Day", and "All The Way". CDs will be available.

Doors open 6:00/Showtime 7:00. Tickets are $20.00 at the door; included are great snacks and drink.  First come first serve so get here early.

Come and join us.

Thanks, THE RED CABOOSE

25483 Railroad Street, Elkmont, Alabama.

PITCHFORK SATURDAY

Donnie Johns

MAKE PLANS TOMORROW TO COME BY THE PITCHFORK IN ELKMONT FOR BREAKFAST. ITS MY DAY OFF FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPT. AND I GUESS I'LL GO IN AND HELP COTY AT THE PITCHFORK. COME ON BY. I ENJOY TALKING TO EVERYONE. (Everybody loves Donnie too) DONT WORRY COTY AND LORI DO THE COOKING, I JUST COLLECT AND CHAT.

VISIT WITH DONNIE AT THE PITCHFORK BEFORE YOU HEAD OFF TO THE ELKMONT BASEBALL GAMES (11AM)  OR THE ELKMONT PARK TO HELP WITH THEIR CLEAN UP DAY TOMORROW ( 9 - 12) OR AFTER YOU POTATOES FINISH YOUR 5K TRAINING ON RAILS TO TRAILS.

Sat.      6:30-10:00 am

ELKMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT AT WORK

The house was on Maples Circle and had stood there at least 90 years.  However, it became outdated, aged and was no longer fit to live in.

Rather than letting it fall in or become a magnet to those drawn to deserted houses, Mr.Maples  asked the Elkmont Fire Department to burn it. 




Not only was the fire department willing to provide a community service, but it also had the opportunity to practice with the pumping engine and filling the engines from hydrant.  A controlled burn allowed volunteers to get real life training in  working around others and knowing where they are.  



If you would like anything burned, you may call 256-732-3313 and leave a message.  A controlled burn to get rid of a brush pile or an old building is much safer than a call at 1 am in the morning.